Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Compact
Production years: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
Volvo introduced the 480 in 1986 as a sporty hatchback and was the first front-wheel-drive vehicle designed by the Swedish carmaker.
While the new hatchback segment started to conquer the compact segment, Volvo was still trapped in its old-fashion school, where its designers used only a pencil and a ruler to create a car. The 440 and the 760 were just a few examples, and the 480 was on the same page.
The 480 project started in 1978, but it was not considered a priority by Volvo's management, and it was postponed until 1986 when the final car made it to the Geneva Motor Show. Everyone was in shock! Worth mentioning that Volvo never had such small vehicles. But it was a different kind of vehicle that proved to be not as sporty as it intended but reliable as any other Volvo from that era. Its pop-up headlights and fixed stationary lamps in the wrapped-around plastic bumper showed much better than most of its competitors. With its three-door architecture and raked-forward tailgate, it created a sporty look.
Inside, the 480 was the strangest Volvo ever built to date. It offered two seats at the front and two individual seats in the back. The wide instrument cluster covered the center stack as well, where the carmaker included the audio system, the ventilation, and several gauges for the turbocharger, ammeter, and oil pressure. An instant and average fuel consumption gauge stood on the right of the speedometer in the instrument panel. That was an unusual feature for a 1986 car.
Under the hood, Volvo installed Renault-sourced engines with or without a turbocharger. The most powerful version offered 120 hp, enough to drop the 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) time under ten seconds.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.7L 5MT FWD (102 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1721 cm3 |
Power: | 75 KW @ 5600 RPM 102 HP @ 5600 RPM 101 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 105 lb-ft @ 3900 RPM 142 Nm @ 3900 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/65HR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 167.71 in (4260 mm) |
Width: | 67.32 in (1710 mm) |
Height: | 51.96 in (1320 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.9/56.29 in (1,420/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 98.42 in (2500 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 5.7 cuFT (161 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2211.3 lbs (1003 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3108.5 lbs (1410 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 29 mpg US (8.1 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.7L 5MT FWD (106 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1721 cm3 |
Power: | 78 KW @ 5800 RPM 106 HP @ 5800 RPM 105 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 103 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 140 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/60HR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 167.71 in (4260 mm) |
Width: | 67.32 in (1710 mm) |
Height: | 51.96 in (1320 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.9/56.29 in (1,420/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 98.42 in (2500 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 15.7 cuFT (445 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2160.5 lbs (980 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3108.5 lbs (1410 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 29.8 mpg US (7.9 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.7L 5MT FWD (109 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1721 cm3 |
Power: | 80 KW @ 5800 RPM 109 HP @ 5800 RPM 107 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 103 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 140 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 118.1 mph (190 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/60HR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 167.71 in (4260 mm) |
Width: | 67.32 in (1710 mm) |
Height: | 51.96 in (1320 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.9/56.29 in (1,420/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 98.42 in (2500 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 5.7 cuFT (161 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2222.3 lbs (1008 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3108.5 lbs (1410 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 29.8 mpg US (7.9 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.7L 5MT FWD (95 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1721 cm3 |
Power: | 70 KW @ 5800 RPM 95 HP @ 5800 RPM 94 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 103 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 140 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 111.8 mph (180 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/60HR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 167.71 in (4260 mm) |
Width: | 67.32 in (1710 mm) |
Height: | 51.96 in (1320 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.9/56.29 in (1,420/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 98.42 in (2500 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 5.7 cuFT (161 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2222.3 lbs (1008 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3108.5 lbs (1410 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 29.8 mpg US (7.9 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.7L Turbo 5MT FWD (120 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1721 cm3 |
Power: | 88 KW @ 5500 RPM 120 HP @ 5500 RPM 118 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 129 lb-ft @ 3300 RPM 175 Nm @ 3300 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 124.3 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/55HR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 167.71 in (4260 mm) |
Width: | 67.32 in (1710 mm) |
Height: | 51.96 in (1320 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.9/56.29 in (1,420/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 98.42 in (2500 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 5.7 cuFT (161 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2246.5 lbs (1019 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3174.7 lbs (1440 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 5MT FWD (109 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1998 cm3 |
Power: | 80 KW @ 5200 RPM 109 HP @ 5200 RPM 107 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 122 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 165 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 121.2 mph (195 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 185/65HR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 167.71 in (4260 mm) |
Width: | 67.32 in (1710 mm) |
Height: | 51.96 in (1320 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.9/56.29 in (1,420/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 98.42 in (2500 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 5.7 cuFT (161 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2195.8 lbs (996 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3174.7 lbs (1440 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 29.4 mpg US (8 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 5MT FWD (110 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1998 cm3 |
Power: | 81 KW @ 5500 RPM 110 HP @ 5500 RPM 109 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 122 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 165 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 118.1 mph (190 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 185/60HR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 167.71 in (4260 mm) |
Width: | 67.32 in (1710 mm) |
Height: | 51.96 in (1320 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.9/56.29 in (1,420/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 98.42 in (2500 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.3 in (109 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 5.7 cuFT (161 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2198 lbs (997 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3108.5 lbs (1410 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 28.7 mpg US (8.2 L/100Km) |